BUILD GRIT, AND MASTER CONSISTENCY EVEN WHEN MOTIVATION DISAPPEARS.

“Why Can’t I Just Stay Focused?!”

There’s a student, let’s call her Lara. Bright mind, big dreams. But there was a problem.

One week, she’d be on fire. Waking by 2:30 a.m., to tackle past questions, and trying to stay up reading with determination up to 4 a.m., but she can’t relate when people say, “I stayed reading all day or all night”, and she badly wanted to relate. After trying for one week and it seems like a waste of sleep time and energy, she slumped in bed, scrolling TikTok and muttering, “Exam is still far na. Besides, I work well under pressure when an exam is by the door.”

There’s another student, let’s call him Gabriel. Also bright-minded and has big dreams. His problem is similar to Lara’s, but the difference is that there was a time he usually spent hours reading nonstop. However, he lost enthusiasm when he either failed a course he had read so hard for or went on a long-term holiday where food, gist, and drinks were the order of the day. 

Sound familiar? Let’s show you how to build what truly keeps students winning: grit.

Why Motivation Alone Will Fail You

Motivation is like a crush. It comes with butterflies, excitement, and hope. But it doesn’t last.

Grit is the marriage.

When exams are still far, or your brain begs for a break, motivation disappears. If your study plan relies on feeling inspired, you’ll lose the game before it starts.

Angela Duckworth, psychologist and author of Grit, found that students who succeed aren’t always the smartest; they’re the ones who stayed consistent when others quit.

Why Do You Struggle to Stay Consistent?

Here’s why you might be losing steam:

• No pressure yet: Your brain is probably like, “Exam is in 3 months? Abeg, relax”.
• Lack of structure: You say, “Let me just read.” But for how long? Where will you actually stay to do the reading? What should you read?
• Overwhelm: Too many books, no clear plan.
• Mental fatigue: You’ve been pushing. You probably received the most recent motivation last week, and you’re already getting tired, but your brain needs a smarter system.
• No community/accountability: You're doing it alone, and it's hard.

Thomas Edison Once Said…

“Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.”

Thomas Edison, who invented the electric bulb, wasn’t a straight-A student, as mentioned earlier in "Edison’s Story: From Below Average to Awesome". He was labeled “difficult” in school and was taught at home by his mother. But he succeeded because he didn’t wait for perfect moments. He kept at it. Studying like it was his job.

He didn’t need hype. He needed a habit.

6 Practical Ways to Stay Locked In Even Without Motivation

Some of these hacks are from James Clear’s book on Atomic Habits.

1. Use the "Trigger + Habit" Hack: 

Pair your reading with a daily event. For example, 

• After breakfast? Read 2 chapters.  
• Every 7 p.m.? 30 mins of Biology.

This way, your brain begins to expect study time without “feeling like it.”

2. Plan with Micro-Goals: Micro and realistic goals. 

Don’t just say, “read Chemistry today.” 

Say, “Read Organic Chemistry (pg 10–25) + solve 5 past questions.”

Clear goals = clear focus = easier start.

3. You can apply the Pomodoro Method

Study for 25-30 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.  

Do this 3 - 4 times, then take a 30-minute break.

This helps you avoid burnout and boosts focus over time. But be careful not to turn the 5-minute break into 3 hours of non-stop scrolling. It’s more advisable to take a walk or do an exercise during the 5-minute break.

4. Gamify Your Consistency: 

Track your study streaks on a wall (using a calendar or sticky notes), a chart, or an app. 

Reward yourself every 5-day streak with an ice cream or a nonstop 3 hours of gaming, chatting with friends, or anything else you love to do. 

Turn the consistency into a game you don’t want to lose.

5. Speak to Yourself Like a Coach: When your brain says, “you can’t,” answer, “You don’t need to feel like it. You just need to start.” 

The truth is, starting triggers the flow. 

The first 5 minutes are always the hardest. 

Push through it.

6. Join a Study-Focused Community: Being part of communities like All About Admission makes all the difference. 

Are others grinding? You feel accountable. 

By creating a profile, you get info, questions, reminders, and motivation.

But What About Off Days?

You’ll have days where you’re exhausted, emotionally down, or distracted. That’s normal.

Here’s what to do:

• Read light materials or listen to podcasts/YouTube explainers instead of heavy texts.
• Review flashcards or quiz yourself instead of fresh study.
• Journal your thoughts. Sometimes the block is emotional, not academic.

It’s normal doesn’t mean it has to be after every one or two days of reading.

When it starts to become habitual, switch it up to the 6 Ways To Stay Locked In…

“Let me rest, the exam is not next week or next month.” That’s a trap, don’t fall for it.

The earlier you begin, the deeper your understanding, and the less panic you’ll feel close to the exam. Starting early means you’ll revise more and forget less.

See Why Students Who Start Early Do Well In JAMB here.

Your brain doesn’t need to work harder. It needs to work *smarter*.  

You don’t need 5-hour reading marathons. You need *consistent small wins*.

When you stay consistent, even when you don’t feel like it, you’re building real muscle, the kind that aces & crushes all exams.

What Next?

✅ Join our A³ WhatsApp Channel – Relatable posts, study-related memes, and LIVE sessions.  

✅ Create a profile on A³ – Track your prep journey, get accountable & ask a counsellor anything

✅ Follow us on TikTok & Facebook – Get your school updates, study tips & motivation.  

✅ Comment below – What’s your biggest struggle with consistency?

Let’s walk this success journey together.